FIRE DISPATCHER I

Job Description:

FIRE DISPATCHER I

Description

Position/Program Information

FIRE DEPARTMENT

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT

WE WELCOME APPLICATIONS FROM EVERYONE

EXAM NUMBER

32432L

FILING PERIOD

Filing will start effective August 5 , 2025, at 12:30 P.M. (PT)

FILING WILL BE SUSPENDED AFTER THE FIRST 1,000 APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED OR BY AUGUST 25, 2025, BEFORE 5:00 P.M. (PT), WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE FIRST 1,000 WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

This announcement is being reposted to reopen the filing date.

THIS EXAMINATION MAY REOPEN AT ANY TIME TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

DEFINITION :

Receives training and practical experience in receiving and responding to calls for emergency and non-emergency assistance and in dispatching fire fighting or rescue units via the operation of the Computer Assisted Dispatch (CAD) system.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS :
Positions allocable to this entry-level class receive classroom and closely supervised on-the-job training from journey-level dispatchers. The work performed is of a progressively responsible nature and of broadening scope as capabilities develop until complete familiarity with all phases of the operation is gained. Immediate technical and administrative supervision is provided by a Supervising Fire Dispatcher in the receipt and transmission of multiple, simultaneous messages via keyboard-controlled, computer-driven video display consoles. Incumbents must gain a thorough working knowledge of response procedures and must develop the ability to utilize sound judgment in initiating and coordinating responses to situations that may affect the lives and safety of the public, fire, and other emergency personnel. Incumbents in this class are required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Essential Job Functions

• Receives and responds to requests for emergency services from the public via the 911, electronically relayed from the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) centers, standard telephone system, and from other safety agencies.
• Interviews callers to obtain preliminary report of incident, criminal activity, or other emergencies and gains sufficient information to properly respond and dispatch appropriate assistance in accordance with operational guidelines, and advises responding units of any unusual circumstances or potential problems associated with the emergency.
• Differentiates between routine, priority, and emergency messages and initiates or follows through on responses or advises supervisory personnel as required.
• Provides pre-arrival emergency instructions in accordance with the Department's Emergency Medical Dispatch.
• Operates keyboard-controlled telephone equipment that enables dispatchers to maintain cold line communications with public safety agencies, private safety agencies, and non-emergent agencies.

Under the direction of an experienced Fire Dispatcher II, receives instruction and practical experience in the following activities:

• Uses the CAD system to determine the identity and availability of the nearest firefighting, rescue, or paramedic unit.
• Transmits and receives coded and conventional messages to and from Fire stations and administrative, investigative, and field units via voice, digital, and video communication links.
• Evaluates multiple messages received from field units, selects and acts upon the most urgent message and re-establishes contact with bypassed units in order of apparent urgency.
• Expedites emergency radio traffic between stations by coordinating assistance responses of personnel and equipment through the selection and utilization of communications channels that best meet the needs of the specific situation.
• Enters unit responses and clearances into the Fire Command and Control System.
• Broadcasts information over radio or telephone lines using the proper dispatcher terminology.
• Analyzes the response for compatibility with the request and relays it to the requesting field unit.
• Maintains and updates dispatching resource material and computer data; maintains records of and prepares reports on emergency calls received and dispatches initiated.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY :

Graduation from high school or its equivalent, or higher from an accredited college or university.

TYPEWRITING SKILL REQUIREMENT :

Ability to type at the rate of 30 net words per minute.

PHYSICAL CLASS :

Physical Class II - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

LICENSE :

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

EDUCATION :

To receive credit for your education, include a copy of your official diploma, official transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English; if it is a foreign language, it must be translated and evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards. For more information our standards for educational documents, please visit: file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter.dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf and 205105_PPG_123_ACE_Resource_Guide.pdf .

We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

Documents not submitted with the application may be emailed to Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov within 15 calendar days of filing. All emails must clearly identify the applicant's name, and the subject line must include the exam name Fire Dispatcher I and exam number 32432L.

VETERAN'S CREDIT :

If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for veteran's credit, which is an additional 10% of the total points added to a passing score. We will need a copy of your DD214 to review, so please include that with your application or email it to Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov as soon as possible so, if you are eligible for veteran's credit, we can include it before promulgating the list of eligible candidates.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS :

After appointment, employee must successfully complete the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Certification training program as scheduled by the County of Los Angeles Fire Department.

Additional Information

REALISTIC JOB PREVIEW :

The Los Angeles County Fire Department operates seven days a week, 24-hours a day.

Appointees must be willing to and/or be able to:

• Work in a paramilitary environment and carry out orders.
• Work in a high stress environment common to an emergency communications center.
• Work any shift, day or night, possibly on a rotating basis.
• Work weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• Perform housekeeping duties by cleaning and maintaining working area and common area in order to maintain the hygiene and professional appearance of the dispatch center.
• Accept that you may not be permitted to leave the communications facility during your shift except in an emergency.
• Accept recalls (an order to report for duty on an unscheduled shift) which may require being on duty for up to thirty-six (36) continuous hours (with sleep breaks).
• Respond to other employees, agencies and citizens in a courteous, helpful, and business-like manner in all radio, telephone, and personal contact.
• Manage telephone calls regarding severely ill or injured people, sometimes involving death, while still performing the functions of the job.
• Remain focused and perform several tasks at one time.
• Multi-task and coordinate your movements (I.e., operating the phone, radio, and computer equipment simultaneously, or typing information into a computer while speaking on the phone or radio, etc.).
• Hear and understand multiple sources of sound coming through a communications headset, radio, telephone receiver, and/or in person simultaneously.
• Participate in training lasting approximately ten (10) months in order to learn and develop the techniques and skills required of a Fire Dispatcher.
• Accept constructive criticisms without reacting defensively, rationalizing mistakes, or blaming others.

EXAMINATION CONTENT :

This examination will consist of THREE (3) parts:

PART I: A qualifying typing performance test. Fire Dispatcher I requires typing proficiency at 30 words per minute.

The following applicants are NOT required to take the typing test:

• Those who currently hold or have held a typing position with the requisite words per minute in the service of the County of Los Angeles.
• Those who have taken and passed the Los Angeles County performance at the required words per minute administered by the Department of Human Resources. Passing scores on record with the Department of Human Resources will be transferred automatically.
• Applicants who have met the typing requirement in another Los Angeles County department must attach a copy of their typing certificate to their application at the time of filing. If you are unable to attach the certificate at the time of filing, please email it within 15 calendar days from filing your application to Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov .

CANDIDATES MUST PASS THE TYPING PERFORMANCE TEST TO PARTICIPATE IN PART II.

PART II: A multiple-choice test weighted 30% that will assess Customer Focus, Learning Potential, and Responsibility.

CANDIDATES MUST ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER IN PART II TO PARTICIPATE IN PART III.

MULTIPLE CHOICE AND/OR SIMULATION ASSESSMENT(S) ARE NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.

PART III: A performance test weighted 70% that will assess Decision Making, Data Entry, Multitasking, Listening, Call Summarization, Cross Referencing, Prioritization, Memory Recall, Map Reading, Spelling, and Reading Comprehension.

CANDIDATES MUST ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON PART III IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE REGISTER.

PASSING THIS EXAMINATION AND BEING PLACED ON THE REGISTER LIST DOES NOT GUARANTEE AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT.

TRANSFER OF TEST RESPONSES :

If you have taken identical components recently for other exams, your responses may be automatically transferred to this examination. This exam contains test components that might be used on future exams, and your responses could be transferred to that exam.

TEST PREPARATION :

We provide study guides and other test preparation resources to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides may help in preparing for the test, we recommend reviewing all related materials that seem necessary.

• Various information can be found on our website at https://hr.lacounty.gov/job-search-toolkit/ . The section dedicated to test preparation is "Employment Test Assistance."
• Online practice tests are available at https://www.shldirect.com/en-us/practice-tests .

SPECIAL INFORMATION

BACKGROUND CHECK AND MEDICAL EXAMINATION :

Candidates who are extended a conditional offer of employment will be required to complete a criminal background check, including a fingerprint scan, followed by a medical examination. A candidate with a conviction history which has a direct and adverse relationship with the duties of the Fire Dispatcher I position may have their conditional offer of employment rescinded and be removed from the certification list pursuant to Civil Service Rule 6.04.

In addition, candidates must successfully complete a medical examination and be able to perform all of the essential functions of the Fire Dispatcher I classification. A candidate who does not successfully complete a medical examination or is unable to perform all of the essential functions of the Fire Dispatcher I classification may have their conditional offer of employment rescinded and be removed from the certification list pursuant to Civil Service Rule 6.04.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION AND VACANCY INFORMATION :

Candidates who passed the assessments are placed on a list in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months. We will use this list to fill vacancies as they

occur.

AVAILABLE SHIFT :

Any shift - Appointees must be willing to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION :

We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates.

Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed.

We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information could result in refusal of application or rescission of appointment. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and may lead to disqualification.

We will send ALL notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. DO NOT select “off” under Email Preferences within your profile or click “unsubscribe” on our notices if you would like the County of Los Angeles to advise you regarding your application status, test schedules, and other important information pertaining to your candidacy for this position.

It is every applicant's responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part. Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail.

• Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov
• Michelle.Herrera-Gomez@fire.lacounty.gov
• info@governmentjobs.com
• talentcentral@shl.com
• noreply@proctoru.com
• donot-reply@amcatmail.com
• fire.lacounty.gov
• hr.lacounty.gov

New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to governmentjobs.com and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.

Notice of Non-acceptance and Final Result letters will be sent via email. Test scores cannot be given over the phone.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI) :

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to promoting ARDI efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst races. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving ARDI in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES :

For those who do not have access to a computer or the internet, we provide access to complete an application at public libraries throughout the county.

NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORD :

All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record and is subject to disqualification from this examination.

Questions regarding this posting may be emailed, with the exam name Fire Dispatcher I and exam number 32432L in the subject line, to Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov .

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS :

If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, contact the Testing Accommodations Coordinator at

Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov . Please note that you may be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation.

Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099

Alternate Teletype Phone: (800) 735-2929

California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922

Department Contact Name: Fire Examination Section

Department Contact Phone: (213) 466-5500

Department Contact Email: Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov

For detailed information, please click here

Closing Date/Time: 8/25/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$54,648.00 - $73,644.00 Annually